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Expensive Saturn VUE repairs by problem area

Engine (31%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (22%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (19%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (20%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)

Other (1%)

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Chart based on 148 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the Saturn VUE.

Saturn VUE repair cost distribution

$2500+ (24%)

$1000 - $2499 (76%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (0%)

< $100 (0%)

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Chart based on 91 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

90900 mi

US $1200

Steering pump replaced but returned because of fluid leaking, bad seal Faulty throttle body,car will loose speed all of a sudden had to limp to repair shop. The issue was a defective throttle body

75200 mi US $99	Windshield wiper would not squirt fluid. It was a blown fuse. Wipers worked, but squirter did not.
86800 mi US $4050	Replaced shocks. Fixed leaking right axle.
98000 mi US $273	All of a sudden car would not start- could not jump it.
93800 mi US $245	Windshield washer would not squirt after a week of below zero temps. Never squirted again even after it thawed.

56000 mi US $472	Check engine light, DTC PO303: Misfire on cylinder #3 due to open coil. The coil was removed and replaced. DTC P0496: EVAP flow during non-purge. Evap. purge valve stuck open. Removed and replaced solenoid.
68000 mi US $1100	Power steering would stop working intermittently. Leak discovered from pump; steering pump replaced. Car was becoming more difficult to start. Dropped of at dealer; car would not start after parked. Jumped the battery for diagnostics and replaced with a new battery. Water would leak onto the driver side floor after heavy rains. Moonroof drains were flushed clean.
86000 mi US $2500	Car would not shift out of first gear.I turned off the vehicle and restarted; still no shifting. Car sat in driveway for two days; when I started before the tow truck came to take it to the dealership for repairs the car reversed and drove normally. The repair guy suspected it was the transmission computer and not an issue with the transmission itself; we decided to bypass opening the transmission and just replace the computer. Fixed the problem - no issues with shifting after repair. Passenger side doors would not unlock. Door lock actuators were replaced on both passenger doors.

149000 mi US $1500	Driving belt broke. The dealer claims it was because of the compressor. The compressor got stuck and broke the belt. So, they changed the compressor for the 2nd time in the life of the car.
189000 mi US $550	belt keep breaking, the hybrid system failed.

90000 mi US $4000	Burnt Valve #1. Multiple engine trouble lights were on including traction system and stability control. Added to cost of replacing head and 4 valves was new timing belt and tensioner, intake and exhaust actuators, coolant and oil/filter.
96700 mi US $650	Replaced master cylinder and vacuum booster. Brakes were locking up making car nearly impossible to drive. Went into shop three times and I will pick it up tomorrow hopefully fixed. They used a third party booster twice and are trying OEM.
104000 mi US $2080	Output shaft loose and missing seal. Installed used transmission.
120000 mi US $200	blower motor not working for ventilation

42000 mi US $1500	transmission
59700 mi US $345	battery Tube for windshield sprayer cracked. Replaced for $130.
60000 mi US $660	reseal engine cover
88000 mi US $600	front right wheel bearing
91000 mi US $500	Transmission control module replaced by dealer EVAP purge solenoid
99000 mi US $400	sparks, ignition coils

47120 mi C $984	Replace power steering rack
59520 mi C $1100	replace alternater & battery
85560 mi C $200	New battery

63000 mi US $394	Windshield wiper motor shorted out. Not working consistently (running when they shouldn't, or not working when they should).
77600 mi US $1000	Waveplate broke and decimated the transmission. Led to total transmission failure, stranding me on the side of the road. This happened a WEEK out of warranty.

40500 mi US $100	Replaced front stabilizer links that were making a clunking sound over bumps.
56700 mi US $400	Clunking noise from front in cold weather, links replaced OnStar backup battery required replacement
58500 mi US $100	Wiper transmission replaced because wipers would come to a stop in the upright position instead of down.
74300 mi US $100	Replace transfer case
91000 mi US $1710	REMOVE & REPLACE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SOLENOID REMOVE & REPLACE SHIFT SOLENOID

19000 mi US $99	Front window washer nozzles only producing a weak stream. Dealer replaced both fron nozzles saying they were clogged
39600 mi US $300	Wheel speed sensor replaced
60000 mi US $1200	Replaced leaking radiator

49060 mi C $200	Wiper Transmission Failure
52700 mi C $2500	Tie rods needed replacing on both sides Wheel hubs on both side needed replacing Pressure release valve/solenoid replaced. Couldnt pump fuel into the vehicle and had a fault code too.

47300 mi US $1000	heater core replacement
111000 mi US $300	Abs failure 3rd time

102000 mi US $1300	Emissions sensor; also installed new brake pads all the way 'round
106000 mi US $1000	trouble shifting from third to fourth and into reverse, affected parts replaced

43400 mi C $1450	Power steering hoses leaking, Power steering pump burnt out Battery weak Body Control Module
44200 mi C $700	Rust under rear hatch lift handle. Paint bubbling all across under hatch lift handle. Not a hole so 100,000 km, 6 year warranty did not apply.
72540 mi C $421	Oil leak in differential
47760 mi C $756	Leaking radiator replaced
75640 mi C $648	Transmission cooler lines leaking at crimps
86800 mi C $1679	Heater core leaking. Replace heater core
92380 mi C $1300	Rear hatch, lift handle, repaired again rust in corners. Repaired in 2013.
111600 mi C $3500	Replaced both front struts, stabilizer links and wheel alignment crankshaft sensor failed. had to be replaced.

950000 mi US $250	Ignition switch broke; new switch installed, key fobs reprogrammed. New switch does not have steering wheel lock and was told replacement switch does not have this feature. GM BS, not happy.
104000 mi US $1500	fill sensor and coolant reservoir replacement, right front wheel bearing replacement.
142000 mi US $800	Wheel bearings (front)

6200 mi C $150	Still no fix for this damm engine pinging problem. This is driving me to the wall!
11780 mi C $100	100 for inspection cost and they forgot to change oil, have to go back. And of course still has pinging problem which they told me not to worry about it(ya right).
17360 mi C $700	It is absolutely horrible to say the dam least that I have to pay for bushing mount replacements. Buying this "POS" has been the biggest mistake in my entire life!
21700 mi C $150	powertrain software flash to fix transmission issue
31300 mi C $1000	both ABS sensors failed on front. Whole kit with bearings had to be changed cause saturn likes to put bearings and sensors in the same device. Everything is breaking down I don't know next.

111000 mi US $1300	Replaced blown front struts A/C recharge Replaced thermostat
116000 mi US $1100	Replaced axel seal Replaced Front Struts

117500 mi US $900	Cylinder misfire message was due to malfunctioning fuel injector. Injector was stuck open and needed to be replaced.
123200 mi US $514	engine starter motor failed.
124000 mi US $1350	control arms were damaged/loose?
127000 mi US $400	front driver's side wheel bearing was humming, buzzing.
131200 mi US $750	brakes, rotors, calipers. less than 20k miles since last time pads and rotors replaced. already need to replace again. sunroof was leaking. thought that the seal/gasket might be failing. Techs cleaned the drainage system. That appears to have solved the leak problem so far.
134500 mi US $160	passenger side windshield wiper motor failed. this in turn caused damage to driver side wiper due to wipers becoming tangled. Wiper assembly need to be replaced along with the motor for the passenger side wiper.
135000 mi US $475	alternator died. was replaced.
136000 mi US $1400	once again, replacing brakes, pads and rotors. Frozen caliper. I seriously question the quality of the parts at the Chevy dealership at this point. I am replacing the brakes >10k miles or every 18 months . bad wheel bearing on passenger side was replaced. causing ABS system to trigger during slow rolling stops. wiper fluid pump failed.
145500 mi US $200	break line broke and was replaced

47740 mi C $199	Resonator replaced by Muffler Shop for $199. Thats a 1/4 of the price from dealer. Failed Resonator upon inspection had cracked and perforated around a weld. Muffler shop welded in a new aftermarket SS resonator.Dealer never called back!
89900 mi C $1400	worn drive shaft centre support bearing check engine light intermittently comes on

90000 mi US $1500	Hybrid battery management module had to be replaced.
92000 mi US $400	Replace front wheel bearing

51000 mi US $710	Removed and replaced serpentine belt and belt tensioner. Tensioner had failed, making it so the motor generator wouldn't automatically restart the engine after shutting off at a light.
51200 mi US $1358	Failed Battery Electric Control Module

75020 mi C $250	I'VE HAD IT WITH SATURN. IT HAS BEEN CLOSE TO A MONTH NOW AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING UNSATISFACTORY AND PISSED WITH THIS BRAND. THERE WERE PROMISES TO GET THE PARTS SOONER AND HAVE NOT FULFILLED THIS.
76020 mi C $250	compressor doesnt work. no air conditioning at this time. order parts from the SOURCE 2007 compressor was discontinued on the 2007 hybrid system. got the parts from somewhere after 2 weeks. Presently air condition is working now.They also fo
99180 mi C $2000	ac not working. PRTS ORDERED AND REPLACE. EVRYTHING WORKS NOW
102300 mi C $500	A warning engine light was noticed and was brought to the dealership for evaluation. I was told that the hybrid battery on my vehicle has to be replaced. The new Hybrid battery was replaced and vehicle works fine.
124100 mi C $2000	No charge coming from the alternator. Dealer #1 change battery but decline alternator module. Tried to shop around for parts for almost a month, not avail aftermarket but available only to dealership because it is a hybrid (bs).
128820 mi C $156	need to replace link...not an emergency replacement

78740 mi C $250	Engine service light comes on sporadically. It turned out it was a software glitch where if you restart the car without having turned the key all the way off (waiting and listening to the radio) the check engine light comes on.
84200 mi C $250	noisy wheel bearing replaced
86800 mi C $500	the tensioner for the alternator belt assembly broke free. It took several days, due to Christmas Holidays to get the part.
152200 mi C $1500	required new alternator required new O2 sensor
154260 mi C $500	Car wouldn't stat. Required new (reconditioned) starter

40000 mi US $133	The fuel gauge was not working correctly as it would not register how much gas in tank. 2 parts were replaced and currently is working correctly.
82000 mi US $1500	Was a sensor that kept the car from starting. Also replaced was battery fuel pump and starter.

87400 mi C $1300	Needed a new ac compressor
88400 mi C $550	The alternator stopped charging the battery. Car battery light came on and eventually stopped running. Had it towed to a shop.
93780 mi C $900	Engine was cranking but wouldn't start. Had it towed to dealership. The PCM wasn't responding. Put in a used one.

80000 mi US $100	Replaced rear wheel bearing hub.
121000 mi US $1900	Replaced compressor, dryer, condenser coil, system recharge Replaced two oxygen sensors
136000 mi US $100	Replaced left rear wheel bearing and hub assembly. Bought replacement part from RockAuto online.
137000 mi US $200	Replaced front rotors and brake pads. Also bled brakes and ran new brake fluid through all brake cylinders,
138000 mi US $200	Replaced alternator, serpentine belt and belt tensioner.
138000 mi US $150	Replaced broken driver's side vent glass. No idea what caused it. Just spotted it one morning. No one had broken into the car. I was mowing with my riding lawnmower the afternoon before and may have thrown a piece of gravel at it.

Expensive Saturn VUE repairs by problem area

Saturn VUE repair cost distribution

2009 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2009 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2009 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2009 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2009 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2008 Saturn VUE

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn VUE 4-door

2006 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2006 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2006 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2005 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2005 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2005 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2004 Saturn VUE

2004 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2004 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2004 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2004 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2004 Saturn VUE

2003 Saturn VUE

2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

2003 Saturn VUE 4-door

2002 Saturn VUE

2002 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

Saturn VUE Expensive Problems

38000 mi US $528	R2 driver's window motor and relay. Window stuck in the down position.
47000 mi US $446	Replaced window motor assembly in passenger side window. Window stuck in down position.
49000 mi US $350	Replace driver door lock mechanism (latch that holds the door closed) Latch unit replaced. Cleaned and lubricated passenger side mechanism.
58000 mi US $1000	Failed emissions due to check engine light - ended up replacing the fuel pump module on the top of the fuel tank. State paid for an additional $550 (total repair would have been $1550.)

90000 mi US $100	broken sway bar link on passenger side. Replaced both links and sway bar as it was also damaged while replacing sway bar and links I believe dealership technician damaged one of the pipes that connects to the ehxaust manifold. Dealership classifed problem as present in car when broght in it was not car did not have issue before visit
135800 mi US $250	Replaced starter
147500 mi US $1100	Lower control arms, ball joints, inner and outter tie rods, struts and strut mounts, sway bar links and bushings, rear shocks cv joints.
150800 mi US $700	Motor mounts-replaced Timing belt tensioner failed
155000 mi US $300	Left bearing starting humming dried out unit replaced both sides
165000 mi US $350	replaced alternator
169000 mi US $180	Car misfiring replaced spark plugs and coils have ordered O2 sensors as well

71300 mi C $3000	air cond.compressor replaced
80800 mi C $1794	bearing assembly, brakes,
80700 mi C $503	front and rear control arm bushings plus alignment
81220 mi C $249	rear camber bolt kit and set aligbment

55180 mi C $130	Left Front Link needed replacement. Left Front Wheel Link replaced. (1yr warranty) Rear Drums and Adjusters rusted & required cleaning
65720 mi C $470	-Right Front link replacement. -Left Front tie rod replacement -Tension assembly replacement -Engine belt assembly
72840 mi C $165	Front Left and Right links replaced. Right link was still under warranty. Creaking and knocking sounds when making full turns. Mechanic says it will be costly to disassemble column to find problem. Suggest going to GM and asking about whether there was a recall or repair bulletin.
75100 mi C $200	Loud humming from front driver side wheel. Wheel bearing assembly replaced. $170 + labour. Battery dies if radio left on or doors left open without engine running.
71860 mi C $123	False "Low oil" warn light reading.
80840 mi C $1000	Wary of the 'low oil' light coming after my last experience, I waited too long to have a mechanic look at, so engine was damaged and had to be replaced entirely.
91140 mi C $490	Steering had a "loose" feeling. i.e. I'd have to turn the wheel more than 360 degrees just to make a right turn. Then the wheel wouldn't return. Intermediate steering shaft replaced. New sway bar link.
93620 mi C $200	Rattling sound from engine. Small welding job required.
94240 mi C $900	Shifter cable seized. Car was towed. Cable replaced. Keys had difficulty turning ignition. Would jam sometimes. Key could be removed while car running.
95480 mi C $400	Left front link kit and sway bars replaced.
101060 mi C $200	The engine gave out after it was replaced last year. The mechanic says there was extensive damage and failure in the engine beginning with the timing belt, pistons etc. The car has been junked. Good bye plastic car.

53000 mi US $533	Had Sears replace shocks and struts.
59000 mi US $150	Had to replace rear hatch lift cylinders
74000 mi US $200	Side panel on driver seat broke for the third time. The driver side seat control panel crushes the foam when you swing out to exit vehicle. It also breaks off the tiny plastic stand-off that holds it to seat frame. Replaced it and seat cushion.
76000 mi US $255	Drivers seat heater damanged while replacing seat foam. Replaced. Oil change. Trip check.
79000 mi US $240	Bought new oem seat heater on Internet. Hired mechanic to install it and do routine service.
81000 mi US $150	Emerg flasher switch pushed through the dash mounting hole. Not easy to access. Glued back in.
82500 mi US $380	Driver side axle was clicking. Replaced.
84000 mi US $392	Replace failing (clicking) passenger side drive axle.
84200 mi US $195	Key sticking in ignition switch. Replaced lock cylinder.
85900 mi US $175	Intermittent loud grinding/clicking noise when shifting into reverse and after accelerator is pushed. Worse when backing up steep hill or bump. Could not duplicate problem. Elected to do a drain & fill of transmition. Did not resolve problem.
96000 mi US $1000	Would not cool at lower than 2000 RPMs. Replaced compressor. Had him do the 100,000 mile service at the same visit.
100000 mi US $1100	Replaced both headlight assemblies due to fogging. Replace timing belt, water pump, pully and related parts. Replaced air conditioning compressor.
103000 mi US $107	Map light switch mount broke. Shop had to drop headliner to access. In that process, they did some sort of electrical damage and lights no longer worked. Took car to Auto Electric shop for partial repair.
111000 mi US $200	Had to replace both headlight assemblys due to lamp housing plastic breakdown. Could no longer adjust.
114000 mi US $630	Replace entire braking system, front & rear excluding hydraulic system
118000 mi US $300	Another shop set parking brake. I didn't notice it until I got home. Ruined rear brakes. Had new linings installed and turned drums.

84940 mi C $5000	trans would go to neutral when coming to stop. trans was repbuilt after waiting for parts.
94860 mi C $1500	o2 sendor

109000 mi US $12500	Idling roughly, injection system needed to be cleaned
198000 mi US $900	Replace front tie rods and mounts. Replace front wheel bearing.
226800 mi US $350	Replaced indipendant sway bar
248000 mi US $268	A new alternator was needed.
261000 mi US $850	The AC was totally replaced including where it connects to the manifold.

112000 mi US $375	Lock on trunk. AC knob broke.
133000 mi US $129	Check Engine light on, reset computer and resolved issue. Tech said if it happens again, the computer module will most likely need to be replaced. Oil was changed at this time.
134000 mi US $100	Also, charged AC system, was not cool anymore.
158000 mi US $1400	Compressor and other major parts of ac were bad. Replaced parts working great but it was expensive.

188000 mi US $250	Replaced sway bar bushings, front strut assemblies
197000 mi US $6000	Replaced both front wheel bearing assemblies. Had headlight lenses polished also.
198000 mi US $550	Car idling rough.Replaced 1 coil pack, mechanic thought cam timing off. He rechecked previous work and 1 cam off a tooth. Reset on timing belt properly.Engine runs fine now.
203000 mi US $500	Power loss light, not drivable. Accelerator made no change to engine rpm, just slightly above idle. Replaced throttle body (Bad throttle control assembly) and ECU for engine.
217000 mi US $490	Replaced right front wheel bearing Replaced drivers side cv/axle assembly. Boot torn bearing failing.
218000 mi US $300	Replaced broken stabilizer bar. Hit pothole,cracked on drivers side. Probably already worn beforehand, as replacing it eliminated a clunk.
228000 mi US $250	Drivers side front wheel bearing replaced.
238000 mi US $300	Replaced rotors, pads, calipers, rear drums, rear linings, rear wheel cylinders
238000 mi US $300	Replaced front brake hoses, drivers side hose intermittently blocked causing brake pads to stick..Enough to smoke (nearly caught fire once)
249000 mi US $195	Replaced broken serpentine belt..Replaced battery
255100 mi US $140	Replaced drivers side front wheel bearing
263000 mi US $200	Replaced passenger side wheel bearing Replaced exhaust system
278000 mi US $330	Replaced (2) front calipers Cleaned throttle body
282000 mi US $250	Replaced rear wheel bearing, outer tie rods

100300 mi US $600	4 wheel half shaft bearing & joint
120000 mi US $700	Repair stripped oil drain Driver front wheel bearing assembly
129000 mi US $1700	Full front brakes rotors, calipers and hoses. Control arms and bushings.
159000 mi US $450	Wheel bearing. Front brake pads too. Independent shop covered cost of part as it failed prematurely Front pads too, bearing failed prematurely so covered under warranty
166000 mi US $450	Rear cylinders, shoe actuators and shoes